Improvement in blow-pipes



UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

OLIVER L. LAWSON, OF ORESTLINE, OHIO.

IMPROVEIVI ENT IN BLOW-PIPES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER L. LawsoN, of Crestline, in the county of Crawford and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compound Blow-Pipes, used in Soldering or Brazing; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part thereof, ,in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the entire apparatus. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section through the boiler thereof.

.Similar letters of reference, where they occur in the separate figures, denote like parts in both.

I am aware that a jet of steam has been used for blowing a flame from a lamp onto the soldering or brazing material; but no provision has heretofore been made for changing the volumeof the jet, so that a mild or strong sharp iiame may be had, as the character of the work As at present constructed and times, itis true, the lamp may be removed farther from thejet, or the thing being soldered. may be removed farther from the flame. This varies the force of the blast or the density of the iiame, but in many cases is quite inconvenient. I am also aware that a safety-valve has been used in a blow-pipe as a matter of security against explosions; but in all which I have seen the force of the jet or blast is uniform, and the apparatusisnotapplicableto such change as would adapt it equally well to heavy or very light and delicate soldering. Besides, many persons cannot, freni weak lungs, usea mouth blow-pipe, and when used the blast from it is variable, and at times ceases entirely.

The nature of my invention relates to the so constructing-of these compound blow-pipes that a jet of steam ora blast of uniform density may be had at any time, and varied to suit the character of the work to be soldered, and this, too, without the least danger of explosions, thus making it applicable to all kinds of soldering.

To enable others skilled in the art to make l and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings. A represents a metallic base, from which rises a supporting rod or branch, B, with a ring or other suitable device for holding the boiler C. The boiler may be made of copper and of such size and form as its use may require. Au opening is made in the top of the boiler or cylinder O, in which a cap, a, snugly fits. This cap is made removable for the purpose of lling the cylinder with alcohol or other liquid for making steam. Through the cap a is an opening through which a stem or rod,b, passes, carrying a puppet-valve,l, which has a seat in said'cap. The lower part of the stem b passes through a brace, c, and the eX- treme lower end of said stem is furnished with a coiled spring, d, one end of which presses against said brace c and the other end against a collar, 2, on the end of the stem b. Through the cap a also pass two thumb-screws, e e, the lower ends of which are connected to the brace o for straining up or slackening the power -of the spring d, and thus adjusting the power of said spring, and consequently the force with which the puppet-valvelis held to its seat. 4

Within the cylinder is arranged a tube, D, curved, as seen in Fig. 2, so that its top part shall not come under the opening iu the top of the cylinder and thus interfere with the iilling of the cylinder, and also to leave an unencumbered space within for the placing and adjusting of the valvein the cap a. The lower end of the tube D passes out through the bottom of the cylinder or other convenient part thereof, so that the direction of the jet may be suitably applied to the thing to be soldered. The

under side of the top of the cylinder, so as to readily take in steam or vapor without allowing the liquid itself from entering it, and a conical opening is made through said tube, with a contracted nozzle or exit for concentrating the jet of vapor as it passes through. A cock or thumb-screw, E, extending to the outside of the cylinder, so as to be readily got at, is so made as to close up the opening through the tube entirely, if desired, or to open it so as to admit such a volume of vapor as may be required for the most delicate blast or for the full force of the blast, as may be required. In ortop of the tube D should be quite close to the' der to allow the most delicate blast, a portion of the cock or thumbscrew E isrounded oft' eccentrically, as at 3, Fig. 2, or a delicate nick or slot may be used for a similar purpose, and thus a graduated steam or vapor wayis opened, which an ordinary cock would not admit of. Marks may be made on the head'of the screw E, by which the exact area ofthe opening, for

the time being, through the tube D may be ascertained or indicated from the outside.

F is asleeve or boss through which the thumbscrew or cock E works, and the tube may be braced inside, as at f, to give it the necessary rigidity against the action of' the cock in adjusting it. V p

G is a lamp of any ordinary kind-spirit or otherwise-and is so placed that its flame shall strike against the bottom of the cylinder-to generate the vapor within the cylinder, and so that, also, when the vapor passes out at the lower end ofthe tube D it shall carry aA portion of the flame against the article to be soldered. f

Dentists andjewelers generally solder against a piece of charcoal, and for their purpose the blow-pipe must be susceptible of a variable blast to suit the quality of the work to be done. In my contrivance the base A may form a hearth, upon which a piece of charcoal, with the thing to be soldered laid upon it, is placed; andV when the charcoal becomes ignited from the ame of t-he lamp the lamp may be removed, and by raising up the charcoal to the cylinder or lowering the cylinder to the burning coal the heat from the coal will generate the vapor and the lamp may be dispensed with. This facilitates the soldering, inasmuch as the operator has but one lame'to attend to and nothing below the generator to prevent him from turning or moving his work to the best advantage. rIhe vapor ofthe alcohol, of course, from its ammable character, adds to the sharpness of the blast and is burned with the other products.

Without changing the character of my invention, a permanent forge may be built of any size, and instead of the vapor of alcohol or other spirits I can use water in the generator and blow a jet of steam into the fire to promote the combustion of the coal; but such au application of the invention could only be required when a Welding heat was to be had, although the jet can be regulated in the same manner ashereinabove described. My compound blow-pipe has proven in practice to be perfectly safe. Indeed, it is almost ,impossible,without positive design, to collapse and strong or mild, as the occasion may rel quire, is had.

Having thus fully described the nature of my invention, what I claim therein as new, and

desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In combination with the adjustable valve 1 in the cylinder, the adjustable cock E in the tube D, so that a regulated blast may be had, whether sharp or mild, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

' O. L. LAWSON.

Witnesses:

A. B. SroUGHToN, THos. H. UPPERMAN. 

